Riding-saddle.



PATENTBD MAY 5, 1903.`

F. J. BBCKBRMAN.

RIDING SADDLE.

APrLIoATxoN FILED Nov. 12, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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RIDING SADDLE.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov.1a. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

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Patented May 5, A1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

AFRED JOHN BECKERMAN, OF CAMERON, TEXAS.

RIDING-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,844, dated. May 5, 1903-.

Application tiled November l2, 1902. Serial No. 131.021. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED JoHNBEoKER- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cameron, in the county of Milam and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Riding-Saddle, of which the following is al tion of sweat and heat, thereby positively ob.

viating scalding; furthermore, while effecting proper ventilation of the saddle, to prevent in a novel .manner entrance of rain to its under side,which would be both objectionable and injurious.

With these and other objects in view,which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inv the novel construction and combination of parts of a ventilated riding-saddle, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it4 being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof, and in these drawings- Figure l is a view in perspective of one form of saddle constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a perspective View, partly in section, showing the disposition of the dierent parts of the saddle. Fig. 4 is aview in elevation of the Ventilating-plate. Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section.

The saddle herein shown is of the character commonly employed by ranchmen; but it is to be understood that the invention is equally adapted to other forms of saddles, and as this will be readily understood detailed illustration is deemed unnecessary.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the horn of the saddle, 2 the cantle, and 3 the side bars, these elements being-combined to form a saddletree of the ordinary construction.

The gist of the present invention resides in the peculiar manner of Ventilating the seat and in keeping the center portion of the saddle-seat out of contact with the animals back, thereby to insure proper ventilation, avoid discomfort to the animal, and to permit passage of air between the saddle andthe animals back throughout its entire length when the animal is in motion. The seat portion is spaced from the side bars by lifts 4, consisting of appropriately-shaped pieces of leather, and bridging the space between the two side bars is a strainer 5, which rests upon the lifts, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Disposed upon the strainer is a ventilator-plate 6, which constitutes one of the essential features ofthe present invention, the same being made of metal, such as heavy galvanized iron, possessing sufficient rigidity to hold that portion of the saddle between the side bars out of engagement with the animals back. This ventilator-plate extends from-a point near the rear end of the cautle to a point near the pommel, and covering the ventilator-plate and lifts is the groundseat '7, and disposed over the ground-seat is the cover S. The lifts, strainer, ventilatorplate, and ground-seat are provided at their sides with recesses to receive the stirrups, as usual, and each of the said parts is provided with a plurality of openings 9, 10, 1,1, .and 12, respectively, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the openings in the strainer being the largest and those in the succeeding parts being progressively decreased,th us presenting approximately cone-shaped openings. This arrangement is adopted'for the reason that in addition to providing ample ventilation entrance of water to the interior of the saddle in case of rain is practically obviated, thus preventing injury to the saddle. Furthermore, by this disposition of the Ventilating-openings they will not prove a source of discomfort to the rider, but, on the other hand, will add to his comfort by the ventilation produced.

In practice the Ventilating-openings are disposed equidistant from each other, thereby preventing stretching or saggingof the leather at one place more than another.

ICO

By supporting the intermediate portion of the saddle above the animals back in the manner described there Will always be a current of air passing beneath the saddle When the animal is in motion, Which Will operate to evaporate sweat as rapidly as generated, adding thereby to the comfort of both the animal andthe rider, and, further, positively obviating any soalding.

The manner herein shown in carrying the invention into eect is one that has been found thoroughly eicient; but it is to be understood that the invention may otherwise be embodied and still be Within the scope thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 

